The second domain on the exam is Selection and Implementation of Control Methods (S&I). Under the S&I Domain there are seven skills that a person should be able to perform if they are to become an ACE. Those are:
- Choose the appropriate control method(s) for pest management
- Select the appropriate tool(s) for use with the pest management method(s) for pest scenarios
- Communicate which pesticides are or are not currently allowed for use by the EPA
- Follow the label instructions and precautions
- Educate the customer on their role in pest management
- Perform selected pest control method(s)
- Document and communicate the pest control method(s) applied and tool(s) used for application
Analyzed further for each skill, here are the tasks that you should be able to perform if you are going to demonstrate mastery of the skill for this domain.
Choose the appropriate control method(s) for pest management
Choose the appropriate control method(s) for pest management
- Cultural control options available, appropriateness of each, and advantages/limitations of each (e.g., sanitation, temperature, special lighting, habitat modification)
- Biological control options available, appropriateness of each, and advantages/limitations of each (e.g., predators, parasites, pathogens)
- Mechanical control options available, appropriateness of each, and advantages/limitations of each (e.g., traps/glueboards, pest proof design, removal, air curtains, lights)
- Chemical control options available, appropriateness of each, and advantages/limitations of each (e.g., IGRs, Pheromones/Attractants, Pesticides)
- Simple modes of action of commonly used pesticides
- Classifications of commonly used pesticides
- Pesticide resistance
- Pesticide formulations
- Pesticide application techniques
- Appropriateness (or not) of combinations of products
- Following label instructions, including disposal
- Relative effectiveness/efficacy versus risk of various control methods and options within each method
- Importance of selecting least hazardous effective method(s)/option(s)
- How to locate local/state regulations that may differ from product labels
Select the appropriate tool(s) for use with the pest management method(s) for pest scenarios
- Tools available, appropriateness of each, and advantages/limitations of each and related safety precautions (e.g., compressed air sprayer, infrared camera, gas detector, duster)
- Regulations (if any) pertaining to each tool
Communicate which pesticides are or are not currently allowed for use by the EPA
- In which cases certain products are used or not (cyclodiences, Chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., DDT, Chlordane, Lindane), Carbamates (e.g. aldicarb, carbofuran, propoxur), Organophosphates (e.g. malathion, chorpyrifos, diazinon, mlathion)
- The reasons why (in general) pesticides are no longer used
- FIFRA’s major provisions
- Relationship between state and federal regulations (which takes precedence)
- Role that EPA plays in federal legislation (e.g., FIFRA)
Follow the label instructions and precautions
- Common precautions
- Active ingredients
- Types of formulations
- Proper storage and disposal
- Concentration and mixing procedures
- Restricted use pesticides
- Legal and illegal uses
- Trade names, common names and chemical names
- Toxic dosages
- FIFRA
Educate the customer on their role in pest management
- Critical messages to convey
- Appropriate methods for message conveyance
- Behavioral customer modifications
Perform selected pest control method(s)
- Appropriate application techniques for each of the pest control methods
- Regulations and restrictions pertaining to application techniques and products
- Application of the ACE Code of Ethics
Document and communicate the pest control method(s) applied and tool(s) used for application
- What to document
- How to document
- Where to document
- To whom to communicate
- Application of the ACE Code of Ethics
